Gala ball, story telling on tap

Posted: September 9, 2012 - 12:00am

From staff

Mariner’s ball

The costumed Mariner’s Ball is planned for Sept. 22 at Fort Menendez, celebrating the years 1513 to 1812. Surprises, music, costuming, libation and food will be highlights. Tickets are $40 per person; $70 per couple; and $30 for re-enactors for this gala which begins at 6 p.m.

“It Was A Dark and Stormy Night, II” is a reprisal of one of the Tale Tellers’ most popular shows and features an all-new lineup of scary tales to thrill the listener.

General admission: $10; group rates available in advance. For reservations or information, call 829-8711 or 386-446-4909.

Ample, free off-street parking is available.

The Tale Tellers of St. Augustine, a nonprofit organization of cultural and educational orientation, was founded in 1993 to promote the art and perpetuate the tradition of storytelling. Dedicated to community enrichment, the guild promotes the art of storytelling by sponsoring its membership in performance. Guests and new members are invited to meetings, 7 p.m., second Mondays, except July. Information: 829-8711.

Traveling exhibit

“Sea Monsters,” a traveling exhibit that brings extreme ocean animal adaptations to life, will be on display from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 at St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. This interactive display developed by Mote Marine Laboratory offers a glimpse into some of the fascinating “monster” characteristics of some sea animals through hands-on educational panels.

Sea Monsters is one of three traveling exhibits developed by Mote’s SeaTrek program, which offers exhibits to museums, libraries and other venues in the U.S. and beyond.

450th event

The St. Augustine Spanish Wine & Food Festival, presented by Wells Fargo Bank, is the first in a series of annual events honoring St. Augustine’s Spanish roots. It will feature two exclusive wine tasting and culinary events that begin at 6 p.m. The first, Oct. 3, will be held at The Tasting Room, 25 Cuna St.; and the second, Oct. 4, is scheduled for Rhett’s Piano Bar and Brasserie, 66 Hypolita St. Each will be limited to 30 ticketed guests at $50 per person and will feature exclusive wine tastings paired with authentic Spanish tapas. Each will also feature instruction in wine pairing and a question and answer period.

Oct. 5 at 6:15 p.m. the festival moves to River House, 180 Marine St., for an evening of Spanish music, dancing and a four-course Spanish dinner, accompanied by an assortment of fine Spanish wines, and authentic Flamenco guitars and dancers. Following dinner, guests are invited to enjoy dancing along the waterfront. This event is limited to 150 guests. Tickets are $100 per person.

Oct. 6, The Grand Tasting Event begins at 12:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center with a private VIP wine tasting, presented by Southern Wine and Spirits. This invitation only, pre-tasting event is for the service industry. Hospitality professionals from the region will mingle with local and elected officials to sample a variety of featured Spanish wines.

The Grand Tasting Event opens to the public at 3 p.m. It will feature three hours of sampling fine Spanish wines, light hors d’oeuvres and tapas and each ticketed guest will receive a collector’s commemorative glass. Wine will be offered for purchase by the bottle or the case. The Grand Tasting Event is limited to 250 guests. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and admission includes parking in the St. Augustine Municipal Parking Garage.

Ticket reservations for The Tasting Room and Rhett’s Wine Tastings can be made directly with each establishment.

Tickets for the Friday evening Spanish Wine Dinner and the Saturday Grand Tasting are available for purchase online at www.staugustinespanish winefestival.com.